Multi-Functional Children&#39;s Accessories

ABSTRACT

An improved children&#39;s accessory item may act as a children&#39;s comfort item (e.g. a doll or stuffed animal), a backpack, and/or a pillow. The accessory may include a body including stuffing or padding that allows the body to act as a pillow. The body may also include a pocket for holding items. The pocket may be surrounded by the stuffing or padding so as to not inhibit the accessory from being used as a pillow when items are placed in the pocket. A fastening mechanism may be provided to close the pocket to secure items therein. The limbs may be connectable to one another to form carry straps, such as those found on a typical backpack. The limbs may be padded for comfort.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field

The present application relates to multi-functional children's accessories.

2. Related Art

Young children often bring many items with them as they travel. For example, a young child may bring a comfort item, a book, a blanket, an electronic device, and/or a snack when taking a trip to visit their grandparents. However, they quickly can become overburdened by the mental and physical stress of having to remember and physically carry such possessions. Presently, young children's possessions have been carried separately often leading to the young child not having one of their possessions when desired.

Currently, there are backpacks which allow young children to carry their books and toys and there are comfort items such as pillows, blankets, and stuffed animals. However, carrying all these items in a backpack can be difficult because the comfort items take up so much space in a backpack or do not fit at all. In addition, when the comfort items are combined with other items not only do backpacks fill up but they become too cumbersome to carry for young children. This increases the physical burden on the child and often leaves the comfort items to be carried in the arms of the child which can lead to them becoming soiled because young children are prone to dropping things or dragging them on the ground.

Accordingly, a need has long existed for an improved children's accessory item.

SUMMARY

In one embodiment, an improved children's accessory item may act as a children's comfort item (e.g. a doll or stuffed animal), a backpack, and/or a pillow. The accessory may include a body including stuffing or padding that allows the body to act as a pillow. The body may also include a pocket for holding items. The pocket may be surrounded by the stuffing or padding so as not to inhibit the accessory from being used as a pillow when items are placed in the pocket. A fastening mechanism may be provided to close the pocket to secure items therein. The limbs may be connectable to one another to form carrying straps, such as those found on a typical backpack. The limbs may be padded for comfort.

Other systems, methods, features and advantages of the invention will be, or will become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following figures and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features and technical advantages be included within this description, be within the scope of the invention, and be protected by the following claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention can be better understood with reference to the following drawings and description. The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention.

FIG. 1 shows an exemplary multi-functional children's accessory in a first configuration;

FIG. 2 shows the exemplary multi-functional children's accessory of FIG. 1 in a second configuration;

FIG. 3 shows an exemplary multi-functional children's accessory having a pocket turned inside-out;

FIG. 4 shows an exemplary multi-functional children's accessory having a pocket containing several items;

FIG. 5 shows an exemplary adapter for use with a multi-functional children's accessory; and

FIG. 6 shows an exemplary multi-functional children's accessory in combination with an exemplary adapter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The elements illustrated in the Figures interoperate as explained in more detail below. Before setting forth the detailed explanation, however, it is noted that all of the discussion below, regardless of the particular implementation being described, is exemplary in nature, rather than limiting.

Referring to FIG. 1, an exemplary multi-functional children's accessory 10 is shown in a first configuration. The accessory item 10 may provide multiple functions, such as, for example, a children's comfort item (e.g. a doll or stuffed animal), a backpack, or a pillow. To function as a child's comfort item, the accessory 10 may have the appearance of a human, animal, or other item. In the illustrated embodiment, the accessory 10 appears as a human. To appear human, the accessory 10 may include a body portion 20 and one or more limb portions 30 a-d. In some embodiments, such as the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the accessory 10 may include a head portion 40. In one embodiment, the overall length (from top of the head to bottom of the feet) of the invention is about 31″. Although these components are described as a body portion 20, limb portions 30 a-d, and a head portion 40, it will be apparent to those in the art that these labels are merely illustrative, and the components of the accessory and their labels will vary depending on the appearance of the item being simulated by the accessory 10.

In addition, although the accessory 10 is generally referred to as a children's accessory, the accessory 10 may be used by adults. For example, adults with physical and/or mental disabilities or sleep disturbances may find comfort using an accessory 10 as described herein. As another example, an accessory 10 may be utilized by an adult post-surgery or other medical treatment for containing recovery items. In any case, the appearance of the accessory 10 may vary based on the target user and be appropriate based on one or more factors such as age, gender, sophistication level and the like.

To enable the accessory 10 to act as a pillow, the body portion 20 may be dimensioned so as to fit a child's head resting on the body portion 20. Preferably, the body portion 20 has a diameter of about 10″ to 24″, more preferably about 14″ to 20″, and even further preferably about 16″. Such sizes are generally ample for a child's head without overwhelming them while resting. The body portion 20 may be made of any suitable material for a pillow, such as soft fabric or any other material. Alternatively, or additionally, the accessory 10 may be sold in various sizes, such as extra small, small, medium, large, and extra-large. Sets of different sizes also may be provided for children and adults.

To enable the accessory 10 to function as a carry bag or backpack, the accessory 10 may include a pocket 24. In some embodiment, the pocket 24 is disposed in the body portion 20. The pocket 24 may include an opening 26, and the pocket 24 and the opening 26 may be dimensioned appropriately for storing several items within the pocket 24. The pocket 24 may be disposed within the padding of body portion 20 such that the storage portion of the pocket is surrounded by padding 22. Preferably, the amount of padding 22 provided within body portion 20 as pillow, the child will not feel the items in the pocket.

The body portion 20 may also include an appropriate amount of padding or stuffing 22 to provide support for the child's head. The padding 22 may be foam, polyester fibers, cotton stuffing or any other suitable material or combination of materials. In some embodiments, padding 22 is one or more pillows. The pillow(s) may be a pre-fabricated, off-the-shelf pillow(s), or may be a custom made. Depending on the shape of the accessory 10, the pillow(s) may be round, oval, rectangular, square, or any other shape. In some embodiments, the padding 22 includes an outer foam lining that helps to keep the shape of the accessory 10 consistent with an inner layer of stuffing, such as cotton stuffing and the like.

The amount of padding 22 provided in the body portion 20 may allow the accessory 10 to function as a pillow even if multiple items are stored within the pocket 24. Preferably, for a body portion 20 having a diameter of about 16″, an amount of padding 22 is provided within body portion 20 to create a circumference of between about 30″ and about 70″, more preferably about 40″ and about 60″, and even more preferably about 50″. The circumference of the accessory 10 may change as items are placed in the pocket 24.

The limbs 30 a-d may be ornamental in the sense that they simulate the limbs of the figure being replicated by the accessory 10. In some embodiments, one or more of the limbs 30 a-d may include proper anatomy, such as hands and feet as shown in the illustrated embodiment. To enable the accessory 10 to function as a backpack or carry bag, the limbs 30 a-d may include connectors 34 a-d may be connectable to one another in various configurations to form different types of straps, as described below. One or more of the limbs 30 a-d may be padded, such as to provide comfort when using the limbs 30 a-d as straps for carrying the accessory 10. Connectors 34 a-d may be provided at the wrists and ankles of human shaped accessory, or may be located on other components of the accessory 10. In some embodiments, one or more of the connectors 34 a-d may be retractably disposed in the limbs 30 a-d such that the connectors 34 a-d may be hidden and/or protected inside and/or partially inside the limbs 30 a-d while not in use and pulled out for use when needed.

The head 40 may be ornamental in the sense that it simulates the head of the figure being replicated by the accessory 10. Optionally, the head portion 40 may provide functionality with respect to the closing of the pocket 24, as described below. In some embodiments, a pocket (not shown) may be disposed in the head portion 40 for carrying smaller items.

The accessory 10 may include ornamental materials such as clothing, hair, hats, shoes, jewelry and the like. The ornamental materials may be removable, may be fixedly attached to the accessory 10, or may be a combination of removable and fixedly attached materials. In the illustrated embodiment, the accessory 10 includes removable clothing, fixedly attached hair and fixedly attached facial features. Alternatively, the hair may be removable to allow a user to change the hair colors, styles, or the like of the accessory 10. Similarly, the facial features may be embroidered on the head portion 40, or may a set of interchangeable facial features may be provided. Other ornamental materials and variations may also be provided. These materials may be customized by a user at the time of purchase of the accessory 10, may be sold separately from the accessory 10, or both. In some embodiments, the clothing at least partially covers the connectors 34 a-d.

Ornamental materials may also provide functionality. For example, an accessory 10 may include cotton clothing that acts as a pillow-case for the body portion 20. As another example, the accessory 10 may include underwear sewn into the body portion 20 to remind young children to not remove their underwear.

FIG. 2 shows the exemplary multi-functional children's accessory 10 of FIG. 1 in a second configuration. As shown in FIG. 2, the limbs 30 a-d may be connected to one another so as to form the straps of the backpack. Specifically, the arm limbs 30 a and 30 b include connectors 34 a and 34 b that are adapted to engage connectors 34 c and 34 d provided on the leg limbs 30 c and 30 d. The connectors 34 a-d may be adapted to engage a single other connector 30 a-30 d, or the connectors 30 a-d may be adapted to engage multiple other connectors 30 a-d. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the connectors 34 a-d are side release buckles, where some limbs 30 a and 30 b include hook ends and other limbs 30 c and 30 d include catches. Alternatively, or additionally, other types of connectors may be used, such as center-release buckles, cam-release buckles, hook and loop fasteners, revolving or static snap hooks, and the like. Although the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 shows the limbs 30 a-d connected to form backpack straps, the limbs 30 a-d may also be connector in any other configuration, such as shoulder strap that may be strung across the child's body. One example of an alternative configuration is shown in FIG. 6, described below.

The length of the limbs 30 a-d may vary, or all of the limbs 30 a-d may be about the same length. Preferably, the combined length of connectable limbs 30 a-30 d is enough to form an appropriate size for the desired strap to engage a child's body. In one embodiment, the length of the arm limbs 30 a and 30 b are about 9¼″ and the length of the leg limbs are about 12″. Preferably, the combined length of connected limbs is between about 15″ and about 45″, even more preferably about 22″ and about 37″, and even more preferably about 28″ and about 32″.

FIG. 3 shows the exemplary multi-functional children's accessory of FIG. 1 having a pocket turned inside-out. The pocket 24 may be disposed in the body portion 20 and may be attached at a seam of the body 20. FIG. 3 shows an overview of the pocket as connected to the body portion 20 with the pocket turned inside-out for visibility, and FIG. 4 shows a magnified view of the pocket 24 connected to the body portion 20. The pocket may include an opening 26. The pocket 24 and opening 26 may be designed to accommodate multiple items, such as, for example both a book and a blanket. The pocket 24 may provide a depth of about one-third the depth of the body portion 20, preferably to provide a depth about half the size of a length of the body portion 20, more preferably to provide a depth about two-thirds of a length of the body portion 20, and even more preferably to provide a depth about three-quarters of a length of the body portion 20. In one embodiment, the pocket 24 is about 12″×12″.

The opening 26 of the pocket 24 may be disposed at the top of the body portion 20 or may be disposed elsewhere on the accessory 10. In various embodiments, the opening 26 may have a length between about one-fifth the length of the pocket 24 to about two-thirds the length of pocket 24. Other sizes also may be used for the opening 26. Elastic bands may be provided near the opening 26 to help secure items inside the pocket 24. Alternatively or additionally, other mechanisms, such as drawstrings, buttons, or the like, may be provided.

FIG. 4 shows an exemplary multi-functional children's accessory 10 having a pocket 24 containing several items. The head portion 40 is not shown in FIG. 4 to better show the pocket 26. In the illustrated embodiment, the pocket 26 can contain any or all of the following items: a 14 oz. Nalgene water bottle, a regular glasses case, a 6.75″×4.25″×1.75″ book, and a 30″×45″ blanket. As described above, the body portion 20 preferably includes enough stuffing so that it does not collapse from the weight of these items when used as a backpack and so that the items do not inhibit the use of the accessory 10 as a pillow (i.e. the items do not prevent the accessory 10 from being used comfortably as a pillow).

A fastening mechanism 28 may be provided for securing contents in the pocket 24. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the fastening mechanism 28 is a hook and loop fastener disposed near the opening 26. Alternatively, or additionally, other fastening mechanisms 28 may be used, such as buttons, zippers and the like. The fastening mechanism 28 may be disposed within the pocket 26 (as in the embodiment shown in FIG. 4), or the fastening mechanism may be provided on multiple components of the accessory 10. For example, a zipper may be disposed on the head portion 40 and body portion 20 so that, when closed, the head portion 40 and body portion 20 are secured to one another and, when open, the opening 26 of the pocket 24 is exposed. Other configurations also may be used.

FIG. 6 shows an exemplary multi-functional children's accessory 10 in combination with an exemplary adaptor 50. The adaptor 50 may include one or more connectors 54 a-b adapted to engage one or more connectors 34 a-d provided on the limbs 30 a-d of the accessory 10. In some embodiments, the connectors 54 a-b of the adaptor 50 may be adapted to engage multiple connectors 34 a-d of the limbs 30 a-d. As shown in FIG. 5, the adaptor 50 connects the two limbs 30 a and 30 b that otherwise might not be able to join. The connectors 54 a-b also may enable the adaptor 50 to be kept with the accessory 10 so that the adaptor 50 is not easily lost. Similar to the connectors 34 a-d on the limbs 30 a-d, the connectors 54 a-b of the adaptor 50 may be retractably disposed in the adaptor 50.

The adaptor 50 may take the appearance of an item that is thematically appropriate for the comfort item being replicated by the accessory 10. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the adaptor 50 has the appearance of a teddy bear, a comfort item for the young girl being simulated by the accessory 10. The adaptor 50 may also take the appearance of other items such as a ball, book, electronic device, and the like. Other examples may include a dog shaped accessory 10 having a bone shaped adaptor 50 or a cat shaped accessory 10 having a ball of yarn shaped adaptor 50. The adaptor 50 may also function as another comfort item for small children who often fidget. This allows them to have something to hold without causing disruption.

FIG. 5 shows a magnified view of the adaptor 50. As show in the image, the adaptor 50 includes two catch ends for a buckle. However, the connectors 54 a-b of the adaptor 50, like the connectors 34 a-d of the limbs 30 a-d, may be other connectors.

While various embodiments of the invention have been described, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that many more embodiments and implementations are possible within the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be restricted except in light of the attached claims and their equivalents. 

I claim:
 1. A multi-functional children's accessory comprising: a body portion having padding; a pocket for storing multiple items, the pocket disposed within the body portion, the pocket surrounded by the padding; a first limb portion having a first connector; and a second limb portion having a second connector, the second connector adapted to releasably engage the first connector.
 2. The multi-functional children's accessory of claim 1, where the first limb and the second limb including padding.
 3. The multi-functional children's accessory of claim 1, where the first connector and the second connector form a side release buckle.
 4. The multi-functional children's accessory of claim 3, where the first connector forms a hook end and the second connector forms a catch.
 5. The multi-functional children's accessory of claim 1, further comprising: a third limb portion having a third connector; and a fourth limb portion having a fourth connector, the fourth connector adapted to releasably engage the third connector.
 6. The multi-functional children's accessory of claim 5, where the first connector is adapted to releasably engage the fourth connector.
 7. The multi-functional children's accessory of claim 5, where, when the first connector is engaged with the second connector and the third connector is engaged with the fourth connector, the limbs form backpack carry straps.
 8. The multi-functional children's accessory of claim 5, further comprising: an adaptor having a first adaptor connector and a second adapter connector, the first adaptor connector adapted to releasably engage the first connector and the second adapter connector adapted to releasably engage the second connector.
 9. The multi-functional children's accessory of claim 8, where the accessory an appearance of one selected from the group of a human and an animal, and where the adaptor has the appearance of an item that is thematically appropriate for the appearance of the accessory.
 10. The multi-functional children's accessory of claim 1, further comprising: a fastening mechanism for closing the pocket.
 11. The multi-functional children's accessory of claim 10, where the fastening mechanism is one selected from the group comprising a hook and loop fastener and a zipper.
 12. The multi-functional children's accessory of claim 1, where an amount of padding disposed within the body enables the accessory to function as a pillow when multiple items are stored in the pocket.
 13. The multi-functional children's accessory of claim 1, where the pocket has a depth, the body portion has a length, and the depth of the pocket is at least fifty percent of the length of the body portion.
 14. The multi-functional children's accessory of claim 13, where the pocket has a depth, the body portion has a length, and the depth of the pocket is about three-quarters of the length of the body portion.
 15. The multi-functional children's accessory of claim 1, further comprising a head portion.
 16. The multi-functional children's accessory of claim 15, where the head portion and the body portion are adapted to engage one another to close the pocket.
 17. The multi-functional children's accessory of claim 15, further comprising a second pocket disposed inside the head portion.
 18. The multi-functional children's accessory of claim 17, further comprising a second fastening mechanism for closing the second pocket. 